2. Plastic
Can you name different products made out of plastic ?
Can you think of advantages or disadvantages of using plastics in our daily lives?

3. Plastics
Task – name 10 objects made of plastic that is in close proximity to you.

4. Plastic how do we use plastics in our homes?
Photographs below courtesy of

5. Plastic Can you think of ways we use plastics in:
packaging
Can you think of ways we use plastics in:
entertainment

6. Thermoplastics Thermosetting Plastic There are two types of plastic :
This material is man made and is a by product of the oil industry.
There are two types of plastic :
Thermoplastics
Thermosetting

7. Thermoplastics materials
Polypropylene
These are described as plastics that can be reformed using heat : this plastic has a memory, it returns to its original flat shape when re-heated.
Here are some examples and their uses :
Acrylic – available in almost any colour in sheet rod or tube form, can be shaped using a line bender or vacuum former.
ABS.
thermoplastic resin.
ABS – a very commonly used plastic can be injection moulded from a powder form.
Styrene – very good for vacuum forming.

8. Thermosetting materials
Kettle saucepan handles
These are described as plastics that do not reform using heat, they “SET” and cannot be reshaped .
Here are some examples and their uses :
Urea formaldehyde – electric plugs and sockets
Melamine – kitchen worktops, unbreakable drink mugs
Polyester resin – poured into moulds to make products or for boat repair
Harry Allen’s paper weight/doorstop made from resin

9. Materials – Plastics Materials - Plastics
Plastics are synthetic resinous substances that can be moulded with the help of heat or pressure. There are two main classes of plastics:
Thermosetting – plastics that can only be heated and be moulded once. If re-heated they cannot soften.
Thermoplastics – plastics that are moulded by heating and can be remoulded if heated again Thermoplastics soften when heated and can be shaped when hot. The plastic will harden as it cools down.
Thermoplastic
Thermoplastic properties
Thermoplastic uses
Example outcomes
Acrylics or Perspex (Polymethyl Methacrylate)
Stiff, hard, shiny, brittle in small sections, durable, scratches easily, available in different colours, good electrical insulator
Used for signs, key rings, lighting, storage containers
High impact polystyrene (HIPS)
Light but strong plastic, available in sheets in a variety of thicknesses and colours and softens at about 95 degrees
Used for vacuum forming and making outer casings and packaging for products
Acetate
Hard, shiny and translucent/transparent
Used in badge-making, packaging and for overhead projector transparencies
Expanded polystyrene (styrofoam)
White, lightweight and crumbly
Used for protective or insulating packaging

10. Materials – Plastics Materials - Plastics Thermoplastic
Thermoplastic properties
Thermoplastic uses
Example outcomes
Polypropylene (PP)
Light, hard, flexible but can scratch easily. Durable to wear and has good resistance to chemicals
Used for different kinds of packaging, chairs, gadgets, textiles and automotive components
Low density polyethylene (LDPE)
Soft, flexible, good resistance to chemicals, good electrical insulator, tough
Used for packaging film, carrier bags, bottles, toys
High density polyethylene (HDPE)
Hard, stiff and strong. Able to be sterilised
Used for plastic bottles, tubing and household equipment
Corrugated plastic
Lightweight, rigid and weatherproof
Used for sign boards and folders
Low-tack masking film
Flexible and transparent
Used to position sticky-backed vinyl letters or images onto a chosen surface. Used for creating signs, stencils and vehicle signage
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
Stiff, hard wearing, brittle but can be treated to make it softer and more rubbery
Used for blister packs, window frames, records and clothing

11. It’s just another plastic bag!

12. Are there any problems or issues with using carrier bags ?
Task 1 – in smalls group, list three advantages and disadvantages of using carrier bags.
Task 2 – in your group consider two ways of improving any problems that you have identified.

13. How could this number be reduced?
How many supermarket carrier bag does the average shopper use to carry goods home every week? 5 15 12 20
How could this number be reduced?
By using shopper bags, how many carrier bags could we cut down on using in a year?
20 plastic bags a week x 52 weeks =
Shopper bags
1,040
Supermarkets hand out 1.75 billion bags a year.

14. Just one more phone …it won’t matter.
What happened to your old mobile phone?
11 million people expect to get a new mobile phone over Christmas in the UK.
2 million mobile phones are expected to go on the scrapheap during a Christmas period.
What can be done to improve this?

15. Before we use plastic materials aspects for consideration
Plastic and sustainability aspects.
Plastic is a precious resource made from oil. Because it is such a versatile material, we use it a lot.
Working in small groups – discuss the following and feed back to the class.
1. List 5 products where plastic is the best material to use.
2. List 5 plastic products that no-one should ever bothered making.
3. List 5 plastic products that would be better made from a different materials.
Photographs courtesy of photo gallery wales.